Sale of 30 MW Nova Scotia biomass power plant closes

On July 25 the Nova Scotia government announced the sale of the 30 MW biomass-fired Brooklyn Power Corp. plant is complete. Emera Energy Inc. purchased the facility for $25 million.

The province originally announced the sale in December, following its decision to purchase Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. from Resolute Forest Products Inc. and change the name to ReNova Scotia Bioenergy Inc. The Brooklyn Energy facility was purchased as part of that deal.

In December, Darrell Dexter, Nova Scotia premier, said the biomass facility was being sold to Emera to product ratepayers from the termination of the current power purchase agreement with Nova Scotia Power.

According to information released by the government, the sale also involves transfer of all company shares and debt, easements for access to some ReNova-owned lands and property, including the pier, wharf and waterline, a commitment to purchase steam for the province’s bioresource demonstration center and a fiber supply assurance agreement.

"The economy of our region was hit hard by the closure of the Bowater mill, and so I'm very happy Emera Energy Inc. will continue to operate Brooklyn Power,” said Christopher Clarke, regions of the Queens Municipality mayor. “The facility keeps local people working and maintains an important player in the forestry sector, which is in transition.”

The Emera group of companies also operates other biomass facilities. Earlier this month Nova Scotia Power, an Emera company, announced operations commenced at its 60 MW biomass facility in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. “We have a great new team on site and a fuel procurement strategy designed to keep costs as low as possible for customers while ensuring the biomass supply is sustainable and contributes to our province’s economy,” said Nova Scotia Power Vice President for Power Generation and Delivery Mark Sidebottom. “Accordingly, most of the biomass is being sourced from within Nova Scotia. A small percentage of the fuel will be sourced from outside of the province because of existing opportunities to procure biomass at attractive pricing on behalf of customers.”